Rankings offer plain truth of the way of the world

There is little for the Tri-Nations to fear from the northern hemisphere, believes Chris Hewett

England know what it is to head the International Rugby Board's official world rankings, although the mists of time are fast closing around that particular achievement. The French make regular appearances in the higher echelons while Ireland have been a top-four nation for much of the last couple of years. But when it comes to listing the best sides on the planet in descending order, three countries virtually always receive a mention before we reach the European contingent.

New Zealand, South Africa, Australia ... it's the same old same old. The SANZAR superpowers are once again living the high life at the top of the tree, with France in fourth, Ireland fifth and falling, and poor old England slumming it in seventh, which was not quite the idea when the movers and shakers of the Twickenham management board drew a deep breath and poured themselves a long G and T before installing the Martin Johnson regime two years ago.

Only once during the Six Nations Championship did a team hint that the southern hemisphere stranglehold might be broken any time soon: France, who pummelled Ireland all round Paris in 80 minutes of sustained intensity that, were it to be reproduced on three or four occasions at the World Cup in New Zealand next year, might drive them towards a third global final. None of the Celts offered anything remotely as good. As for England ... puh- leeese.

Johnson must now plan for the two-Test series with the Wallabies in June, and unless he finds himself a pack capable of hacking it at the top level, he will find himself on the wrong end of two painful thumpings. Wales are in New Zealand – thanks a bunch – while Ireland are also in the Antipodes, where they have not won since the 1970s. The best hope for a British Isles victory over a southern rugby state lies with Scotland, who could summer well down in Argentina.

Of course, the home unions will point to the hardships of touring at the fag end of a hard season, conveniently forgetting once again that when the All Blacks, the Springboks and the Wallabies come north each autumn, they win far more Tests than they lose despite being in the same boat.

There is nothing new about the current balance of power. Leaving aside the great days of the British and Irish Lions in the early 1970s and the high peaks visited by England under Clive Woodward between 2000 and 2003, the south has always ruled the roost. Do not, under any circumstances, hold your breath while waiting for this to change. It's not worth dying for.

Chris Hewett's Team of the tournament

1Thomas Domingo, France

Short, squat and born awkward, the loosehead prop was a decisive scrummaging force.

2 William Servat, France

The beating heart of the French pack. A hooker blessed with all the virtues.

3 Nicolas Mas, France

As long as the Catalan stays fit, France will have a scrum worthy of the name.

4 Lionel Nallet, France

A Tricolore “tractor” in the tradition of Mias and Imbernon. And that's saying something.

5 Alastair Kellock, Scotland

Highly impressive at the line-out and fast around the field. A major contributor.

6 Thierry Dusautoir, France

Crikey, what a player. Flankers like this come along only once in a generation.

7 John Barclay, Scotland

Like Nallet, a throwback to the great days of yore. Is he Finlay Calder in disguise?

8 Imanol Harinordoquy, France

The pride of the Basques frequently looked like the best No 8 in the world.

9 Morgan Parra, France

Le petit general may have struggled on Grand Slam night, but his all-round influence was vast.

10 Stephen Jones, Wales

Understated but highly effective. By some distance the most complete outside-half in the tournament.

11Shane Williams, Wales

Just edges out Keith Earls of Ireland in the battle of the broken-field finishers.

12 Yannick Jauzion, France

And we thought he was finished. The go-to man in the French midfield.

13 James Hook, Wales

Not the best defensively, but electrifying with ball in hand. A maestro in the making.

14 Tommy Bowe, Ireland

Could he conceivably match his feats on last summer’s Lions tour? Yes, and then some.

15 Clement Poitrenaud, France

A lost genius of French rugby, he has been well and truly rediscovered